Greetings Gamers! If you’ve clicked on this article, you’re probably in the market for a modem and if you’re anything like the average consumer, it’s unlikely that you know an awful lot about them.
You don’t have to worry, buying a good modem is not rocket science, it’s actually pretty easy once you know what to look for. To help you out, we’ve searched multiple online marketplaces to find the best modems that you can buy in 2023. The modems on this list are highly rated, value for money and up to date with the latest advancements in modem tech. You can freely buy any modem from our list and feel rest assured that you’ll have a quality product.
In this article, you’ll find everything you need to know about modems, whether they’re useful for gaming, 7 of the best modems to choose from in 2023, and a detailed buying guide. Let’s begin!
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 picks when it comes to the best modems for gaming in 2023!
Best Overall
Premium Pick
Runner Up
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What’s a Modem?
Before we get into the article, let’s see what a modem is, why you need one, and how it works.
To begin with, the modem is a device that allows your computer or other devices to connect to the internet. It connects to the wider internet through cables and usually has an ethernet port or two to connect to a router.
The word modem itself is a shortened version of the term, “Modulator-Demodulator”. Its function can be understood by this name alone. The modem can be understood as a type of converter. It modulates analog signals from cables to digital 1s and 0s that your computer can understand. Then, it takes those 1s and 0s that it receives from the computer and it demodulates them into analog signals to send them over the cables. You need a good modem to be able to connect to the internet.
Modems are usually either Cable or DSL types. A Cable type modem directly connects to standard television cables and sends and receives signals through them. DSL type modems use standard telephone lines, they operate on a wider frequency so as to not interfere with phone calls. Cable type modems are faster than DSL type modems. Cables can reach speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, while DSL only goes up to 100 Mbps.
Modems use DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications), which is a globally recognized standard for broadband cable transmission of IP data services. This standard made it possible for existing coaxial cable systems to handle high bandwidth data transfer.
The DOCSIS standard allowed older cable-based networks to hold their ground against high-speed fiber-optics. While DOCSIS 4.0 is being tested, the current operational generation of DOCSIS is 3.1, supporting tremendous upstream speeds of 2 Gbps and downstream speeds of 10 Gbps.
What’s the Difference Between a Modem and a Router?
Okay, so if you’re a newbie, these terms might confuse you. Honestly, they’ve confused everyone at one point or another. We’ve all found ourselves mixing up the two and it can be embarrassing. So let’s clear up this little confusion once and for all.
Essentially, a modem brings the internet to your house and a router delivers that internet to your devices. The modem connects to the main internet outside and allows you to connect to it too. Modems allow a very limited number of devices to connect to them.
On the other hand, a router solves this problem as it connects to the modem and lets you connect multiple devices to the internet through it. Any setup needs both, a modem, to connect to the wider internet, and a router, to connect all your devices wirelessly/with ethernet ports in a secure way.
A router also allows the devices connected to it to operate using a local area network, without using the internet. This is how LAN gaming came into being. Now that we have that sorted, let’s continue forth with this article that will help you purchase a modem through which you can connect to the internet.
Do Modems Matter for Gaming?
To keep the answer nice and brief, yes, modems matter for gaming. Allow us to explain how.
First off, if you’re serious about gaming, every piece of tech that you use for it matters. From your display, processors, keyboard to your mouse, and even your speakers or headphones.
Gaming is a sphere where a time difference in milliseconds can mean the difference between a spectacular victory or a crushing defeat. You need to look for ways to squeeze maximum efficiency and performance out of all of your gaming equipment and your modem shouldn’t be left out of the mix.
Even if you’re not a professional gamer, your connection for online gaming is still a very important factor while playing. A high-end modem can take care of this. It’ll make sure the connection you have is fast, stable, and uninterrupted.
Is It Worth Buying a Gaming Modem?
Well yes and no. This question is a tad bit trickier than the previous one. For intense gaming (and winning) a regular old modem-router setup provided by your ISP (internet service provider) will do you no good. You have to upgrade to something that suits this decade, which will get you that low ping that you desire.
Gaming modems will gladly oblige. Although it may seem like a marketing gimmick, a gaming modem is specifically designed with gamers’ needs in mind and will work way better in that area. Gaming modems can reach ultra-fast speeds (over 1 Gbps), super low ping (below 25 ms), and might have additional ports to end the need of an additional router.
Alternatively, you can opt for any other high-performing modem without the gaming moniker that can get you high speeds, a stable connection, and low ping. If you’re a gamer and you find a modem that fits your needs (and budget) better but isn’t a “gaming” modem, don’t stress. Go right ahead and buy it, because the label that the device has doesn’t really matter as long as it gets the job done.
Regardless of what’s written on the modem, buying your own modem is a great idea because you won’t have to pay the rental fees that you’d have to give to your ISP for providing you with a modem. Additionally, you can choose a modem-router setup that fits perfectly into your own gaming setup.
In a nutshell, while you don’t specifically need a gaming modem per se, gaming modems tend to work perfectly for gaming.
Top 7 Best Modems for Gaming in 2023
1. NETGEAR Nighthawk Modem CM2000 – Best Overall
The first and our best overall pick for modems you can buy in 2023 is the Nighthawk Modem CM2000 from NETGEAR. This modem is usable with all cable providers including Spectrum, Xfinity, Cox, etc.
The modem features DOCSIS bonding and OFDM and can go up to speeds of 2.5 Gbps. It has one multi-gig Ethernet port for high-speed true multi-gig connections. This modem works best with a NETGEAR router or Orbi System.
Specifications:
- Maximum Speed: up to 2.5 gbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.1
- Ethernet Ports: 1
- Type: Cable Modem
- Channels: 32×8
- Dimensions: 9.92 x 8.74 x 4.72 inches
Why is this the best modem for gaming in 2023?
So why did we choose the NETGEAR Nighthawk Multi-Gig CM2000 Cable Modem as our pick of the best modem for gaming in 2023? Well firstly, NETGEAR is a brand that is undoubtedly a go-to choice when it comes to buying modems. The company has made its mark and is famous for providing its customers with high-tech products that don’t compromise in terms of quality.
This particular product is no different, being the best modem on this list. The modem is compatible with a wide range of major providers and offers true high-speed multi-gig connections, running on the latest DOCSIS 3.1 technology.
2. NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem with Built-in WiFi 6 Router – Premium Pick
Up next, we have the NETGEAR Nighthawk Cable Modem (CAX80) with a Built-in WiFi 6 Router. This modem is our premium pick and can be your faithful and capable companion if you’re willing to pay a premium for it. The price starts making sense once you factor in the fact that this modem comes with its own built-in WiFi 6 router, eliminating the need for you to purchase a separate WiFi 6 router.
As with the CM2000, the CAX80 is also compatible with major providers such as Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum. It can reach mind-blowing speeds of up to 6 Gbps! The modem uses DOCSIS 3.1 and 32×8 channel bonding. Being a modem+router combo, you get 4 ethernet ports along with one USB 3.0 port for added connectivity to all your devices.
A sweet goodie you get with this modem is a 30 day free trial of NETGEAR ARMOR, which is a cybersecurity software powered by Bitdefender. The modem-router also supports WPA/WPA2 wireless security protocols.
Specifications:
- Maximum Speed: up to 6 gbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.1
- Ports: 4 Ethernet Ports and 1 USB 3.0 Port
- WiFi Coverage: Up to 3000 sq.ft.
- Type: Cable Modem with WiFi 6 Router
- Channels: 32×8
- Dimensions: 12.48 x 10.12 x 5.16 inches
3. Motorola MB8611 DOCSIS 3.1 Multi-Gig Cable Modem – Runner Up
At number three, we have the Motorola MB8611 DOCSIS 3.1 Multi-Gig Cable Modem, which holds the runner-up spot in our list for the best modems for gaming in 2023. This modem can connect to any router regardless of whether it’s a mesh device or a gaming router and can hit maximum speeds of up to 2.5 gigabytes per second coming from one ethernet port.
The MB8611 has ruggedized lightning and power surge circuits to protect your modem in case of any accidental power surges. A unique feature of this modem is that it uses Active Queue Management (AQM), with which reduces latency, which makes it a prime choice for a gaming modem. The modem has support for Comcast’s Xfinity, Cox, and Spectrum. It uses DOCSIS 3.1 for uber-fast performance and is also backward compatible with 32×8 DOCSIS 3.0.
Specifications:
- Maximum Speed: up to 2.5 gbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.1
- Ethernet Ports: 1
- Type: Cable Modem
- Channels: 32×8
- Dimensions: 7.25 x 2.25 x 7.88 inches
4. Linksys (CM3016) Docsis 3.0 16×4 Cable Modem – Budget Pick
The fourth modem on our list is the Linksys CM3016, which is our pick for the best budget modem for gaming in 2023. This is the best option for you if you need a high-quality modem and you’re on a budget. The modem features everything you really need and manages to bundle it up at an attractive price point.
It comes with DOCSIS 3.0 and 16×4 channels, while this is last generation tech, it can still give you a few years of solid performance. It features the Intel Puma 6 and manages to get decent speeds of up to 250 Mbps. The CM3016 is compatible with Xfinity, Cox, Times Warner Cable, Charter, Cablevision, etc.
Specifications:
- Maximum Speed: up to 250 mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- Ethernet Ports: 1
- Type: Cable Modem
- Channels: 16×4
- Dimensions: 6.9 x 3.7 x 6.69 inches
5. TP-Link 16×4 AC1750 Wi-Fi Cable Modem Router
Coming in at number 5, we have the TP-Link 16×4 AC1750 WiFi Cable Modem-Router. This awesome product is a dual-band router and modem in one that can get you speeds of up to 1750 Mbps. It has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 2 USB ports, and 6 internal antennas.
At 2.4 GHz, the router can reach speeds of up to 450 Mbps, and at 5 GHz, speeds of up to 1300 Mbps. This combo also gets a couple of standout features like parental controls and a guest network feature that provides guests with separate WiFi access from your main network.
Specifications:
- Maximum Speed: up to 1750 mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- Ports: 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports, 2 USB ports
- Type: Cable Modem + WiFi Router
- Channels: 16×4
- Dimensions: 6.3 x 9 x 1.5 inches
6. ASUS Modem Combo – DOCSIS 3.0 32×8 Wireless AC2600 WIFI Gigabit Router – Ultimate Power
The penultimate modem on our list is another modem-router combo, which is the ASUS All-One Cable Modem + Dual Band Wireless AC2600 WiFi Gigabit Router. This is our choice for the ultimate modem-router combo with the most power and bang for your buck.
This offering from Asus features a DOCSIS 3.0 32×8 channel modem with an AC2600 dual-band wifi router that can get you to download speeds of up to 1.3 gigabytes per second.
Specifications:
- Maximum Speed: up to 1300 mbps
- DOCSIS Version: 3.0
- Ports: 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports
- Type: Cable Modem + Wifi Router
- Channels: 32×8
- Dimensions: 7.4 x 2.36 x 11.81 inches
7. MOTOROLA 1600 Gigabit Router
The final entrant on our list is yet another modem+router combo in the form of the Motorola VDSL2/ADSL2 Modem+Wifi AC1600 Gigabit Router. This is the only DSL-based router on the list and as a result, can support Frontier, CenturyLink, or any other DSL service provider.
It can deliver a decent speed of up to 100 Mbps using a VDSL or ADSL service. The primary advantage of a DSL connection is that it doesn’t require setting up new wiring and can work over your existing telephone wiring.
Specifications:
- Maximum Speed: up to 100 Mbps
- Ports: 4 Gigabit Ethernet Ports, 2 USB 2.0 ports
- Type: DSL Modem + Wifi Router
- Dimensions: 6 3/4 x 8 1/2 x 2 3/8 inches
How to Choose the Best Modem for Gaming?
Now that you’re familiar with some of the best modems for gaming on the market, you need to know how to choose the right one for you. Without complicating things too much, we’ve made a quick buyer’s guide on this topic. Let’s jump right into it.
- Choose a Cable or DSL modem based on the tech your ISP supports
- If you really value speed, go for a DOCSIS 3.1 modem with a 2.5G port, otherwise a
- DOCSIS 3.0 works fine too. Also, the higher the channel number, the faster real world speed you get.
- Modem-router combos are always a safe bet and offer the most value for your money. However, if you’re a techie, get separate devices as they allow more customization and at times, better security.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there is an abundance of amazing modems for gaming to choose from and now you know some of them and how to choose one according to your needs. We hope this article has helped you in your modem buying adventure!
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